Saturday, September 17, 2011

After being prompted by a bizarre online fan challenge, lead singer of the multi-platinum GRAMMY-nominated group Smash Mouth, Steve Harwell, has set a date to eat 24 eggs as promised. Pairing up with celebrity chef Guy Fieri who has offered to cook the eggs, the "Egg Challenge" will take place on October 10, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. at Fieri's restaurant, Johnny Garlic's, in Dublin, Calif.

The call for Smash Mouth to eat two dozen eggs came about when a fan prompted the challenge on a blog website, Something Awful. The spontaneous request was immediately backed by a multitude of fans via the website, Twitter and Facebook continuously urging Harwell to eat the eggs. Soon, it became one of the hottest trending topics on Twitter and Yahoo, and like an encore chant at a live concert, Harwell had no choice but to submit to their pleas.

Harwell responded in an effort to legitimize the request, telling fans if they could raise over $10,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a charity very near to Steve's heart, he would eat the eggs. The band launched a fundraising page on www.Causes.com and watched as fans came through to meet the goal in less than a week.

Long-time friend and Food Network star Guy Fieri then volunteered to cook the eggs any way Harwell would like them; and the two hope to continue to raise money for St. Jude's up until the date of the challenge. If you wish to donate, please visit www.Causes.com.

*Update* - According to Johnny Garlic's Facebook page, the Dublin restaurant is making a day of it:"Big event Oct 10th in our Dublin restaurant....Come check it out. The city has named it "Guy Fieri" day! Booksigning, photos and Dinner with Guy. Proceeds go to Childrens Charities of East Bay....Tickets on sale at the restaurant"

Guy Fieri events at JG's in Dublin start at 6:30 p.m.; tickets on sale at the restaurant.